What to do this weekend - July 17, 2025
Hi,
Welcome to This Week In Lincoln, a newsletter about the "Amazing City of Edible Dirt." More on that in a moment.
If you're a new subscriber, here's what to expect:
- First, a few words about whatever Lincoln-specific thing I'm currently obsessed with. This week I'm talking about Roger Welsch (again).
- Below that you'll find a round-up of events happening this weekend, next week, and later in the summer. I try to curate stuff that actually looks worth your time. There's a lot of music, films, public meetings, and more! A reminder that I would like to elevate more mutual aid, organizing and community-focused events happening in Lincoln. Send me those if you have them!
I was first introduced to Inside Lincoln — Roger Welsch's scrappy, underground book about all the things you won't find in a typical tourism guide — by a reader of this newsletter. For a few months, I've been sporadically searching for a copy, and I finally found one at an antique store. Sorry in advance for how much I'm probably going to write about this in future newsletters, but it's the kind of thing that was designed in a lab to appeal to me specifically.
I haven't finished the book yet, so I don't feel ready to share any comprehensive thoughts. But I was struck by this passage from the introduction. It's a bit long but worth reading in full:
I will assume that you are no dope, that you are no prude, that you are an adult (or a child with a healthy attraction to forbidden things), that you are interested in real people rather than those hopelessly boring "important" people, and that you have a sense of humor. I will assume that you would rather have something good than something expensive, something genuine rather than something socially impressive. In short, this is the precise opposite of all the other guides to Lincoln, the City of Elms, the City of Churches, the City of Lilacs, Hartford of the Plans, Star City, the Paris of the Pigbelt.
A local newspaper recently sponsored a contest to develop a new, cute nickname for Lincoln. There were some great submissions. My favorite was "The Incredible City of Edible Dirt." The one that should have won was "the Hometown City." The winner however was "Where the Best Begins."
Hey, wait a minute! You thought "Star City" won, right? Well, you're wrong. "Star City" was the consolation prize. It's a long story. Maybe we should have gone with "The Consolation City."
What appeals to me about Welsch's writing here is his commitment to elevating the everyday and the ordinary. This probably stems from his professional background as a folklorist. Finding value in things that most historical narratives overlook or denigrate is basically his whole deal! But there's something genuinely powerful in his desire to share "something good (rather) than something expensive, something genuine rather than something socially impressive." Honestly, that could be the mission statement for this little newsletter. I certainly can't match Welsch's prodigious knowledge of Lincoln. But I can at least try to uplift the good and interesting things about the city that perhaps don't get enough attention.
The other thing I love about this passage is the discussion of Lincoln's nicknames. I always made fun of Fort Worth, where I used to live, for its vast array of names. (Panther City was the only good one.) But there's something fascinating and revealing about the official names that institutions like Visit Lincoln decide are acceptable — and the unofficial ones that folks prefer to use. It says a lot about how people view their city.
For fun, I tracked down some old news clippings about the naming contest that Welsch references. It seems like he slightly misremembered a few details. (The actual submission, according to the Journal-Star's reporting at the time, was "Amazing City of Edible Dirt.") But it helped me figure out why we ended up with "Star City" instead of "Where the Best Begins." The latter was initially the preferred choice of the Lincoln Visitors Bureau — until the judges learned that York was already using that particular slogan. Alas!
You can read about that for yourself:
Clippings from the Lincoln Journal-Star
Got an event you want to see included in next week's newsletter? Submit it here. You can also send feedback, suggestions, compliments and criticism to tynanstewart@proton.me
~ Ty
P.S. I produce this newsletter every week as a community resource. I believe strongly in making things freely available! However, you have the option to support the work I'm doing with a paid subscription. It doesn't give you access to anything extra — I don't have any paywalled posts right now — but it will absolutely help to ensure that This Week In Lincoln remains sustainable and available to all. Of course, times are really hard, and I understand if you can't pay for this newsletter. If that's you, then I just ask that you share what I'm doing with a friend! Your recommendation really matters.
Thursday, July 17
Thursday, July 17
Film: Pavements
+ When: 4:50 pm
+ Where: Ross Media Arts Center (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $10
From the theater's website: "An examination of the iconic 90s indie band, PAVEMENTS appears to be just another music documentary, until it doesn’t. A prismatic, narrative, scripted, documentary, musical, metatextual hybrid, the film intimately shows the band preparing for their sold-out 2022 reunion tour while simultaneously tracking the preparations for a musical based on their songs, a museum devoted to their history and a big-budget Hollywood biopic inspired by their saga as the most important band of a generation."
Last day to see this at the Ross!
Thursday, July 17
Baseball: Lincoln Saltdogs vs Sioux City Explorers
+ When: 7:05 pm
+ Where: Haymarket Park (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Tickets start at $14 for general admission (seating on the grass berm)
Thursday, July 17
Community meeting: Weekly Leftist Meetup
+ When: 5:30 to 6:30 pm
+ Where: Meadowlark (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
Organized by Lincoln's DSA branch. From their Instagram flyer: "Looking for good conversation, solidarity, or a break from the news cycle? Join us for casual weekly meetups hosted by Lincoln DSA."
Thursday, July 17
Film: Sunlight
+ When: 5 pm, 7:05 pm
+ Where: Ross Media Arts Center (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $10 at 5 pm | $12 at 7:05 pm
From the Ross's website: "From comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti, SUNLIGHT is a darkly funny love story between a man and a woman who doesn’t want to come out of a monkey suit until she is truly loved."
Other screenings scheduled through July 24.
Thursday, July 17
Music: KZUM Stransky Park Concert Series presents A Ferocious Jungle Cat
+ When: 7 to 9 pm
+ Where: Stransky Park (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
A local band! Here are links to their music and socials:
Thursday, July 17
Music: Laney Jones and the Spirits + Jericho Strays
+ When: 7 pm (doors), 8 pm (show)
+ Where: Bourbon Theatre (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $22.09 (includes fees)
Thursday, July 17
Party: Tavern on the Square is turning 15!
+ When: 2 pm (doors), 3 to 7 pm (event)
+ Where: Tavern on the Square (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Not sure if there's a cover.
From the Tavern's Facebook page: "Join us at Tavern on the Square as we celebrate 15 years since opening our doors in 2010. This party is all about customer appreciation — because we wouldn’t be here without you!"
Thursday, July 17
Public Meeting: A Street Improvement Project Open House
+ When: 5:30 to 7:30 pm
+ Where: Everett Elementary School (Gymnasium, Door #4), 1123 C Street (Google Maps)
A chance to learn about and comment on a proposed redevelopment of A Street between 6th and 17th Street. Find more info about the project on the city's website.
Friday, July 18
Friday, July 18
Open Mic: Poems in Protest
+ When: 6 to 8 pm
+ Where: Pepe's Bistro (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $5 to $20 suggested donation to the ACLU of Nebraska
From Pepe's instagram: "We will be hosting an open mic to raise funds for the ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union, of Nebraska. Although we are Latine, our call for justice transcends binaries, races, spectrums, and identities. We ask anyone and everyone to join us in our protest and celebrate the work of artists whose Latin heritage they are proud of ... We will have 4 featured poets, followed by an open mic. Sign up drops at 5:30. All are welcome to sign up."
Friday, July 18
Art: Third Friday Event at Clements Noyes Art Gallery
+ When: 5 to 8:30 pm
+ Where: Clements Noyes Art Gallery (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Seems to be free.
Friday, July 18
Baseball: Lincoln Saltdogs vs Winnipeg Goldeyes
+ When: 7:05 pm
+ Where: Haymarket Park (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Tickets start at $16 for general admission (seating on the grass berm)
Friday, July 18
Books: Silent Book Club
+ When: 7:30 to 11 pm
+ Where: Branched Oak Observatory (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
Bring a book of your choice and read quietly by yourself. Optional discussion, tour of the observatory, and night sky viewing. Find more info about silent book clubs in general here.
Friday, July 18
Film: Don't Lets Go To The Dogs Tonight
+ When: 5:10 pm, 7:20 pm
+ Where: Ross Media Arts Center (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $10 at 5:10 pm | $12 at 7:20 pm
From the Ross: "Based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name, DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT captures the childhood of 8-year-old Bobo on her family farm in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) at the end of the Zimbabwean War for independence in 1980."
Other screenings scheduled through July 24.
Friday, July 18
Film: Pride (2014)
+ When: 7 to 10 pm
+ Where: The Black Cat House (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
From the Black Cat House's website: "We will be celebrating Pride season with our July movie. We're showing the 2014 British film Pride, which combines comedy and drama to reenact the true story of the solidarity forged between London gays and lesbians and striking Welsh coal miners during the mid-1980s."
Friday, July 18
Music: Bitchflower + Estrogen Projection + Mouse Heart
+ When: 9 pm (doors), 10 pm (show)
+ Where: Duffy's Tavern (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free! No cover!
Fort Collins psych-punk band Bitchflower is the headliner, with support from two rad local bands. Links to music/websites/socials:
+ Bitchflower / insta
+ Estrogen Projection / insta
+ Mouse Heart / insta
Friday, July 18
Music: Corners of the Sky + UNDERBITE + James Riva
+ When: 6:30 pm (doors)
+ Where: The Juice Box (DM them on Instagram for the address)
+ Cost: $10
Come out and support a cool psych rock band from Kansas City plus local acts. Links to the bands' music and socials:
+ Corners of the Sky / bandcamp / insta
+ UNDERBITE / insta
+ James Riva / insta
Friday, July 18
Music: Mike Czyz + Jonathan Little
+ When: 8 pm
+ Where: Boiler Brewing Company, 129 N 10th Street (Google Maps)
+ Cost: No cover!
Friday, July 18
Music: Present Future
+ When: 5:30 pm (doors), 6 pm (show)
+ Where: Bourbon Theatre (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $27.24 (includes fees)
Friday, July 18
Zoo: Family Fun Fest
+ When: 5:30 to 8:30 pm
+ Where: Lincoln Children's Zoo (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $12 for adults, $9 for kids, and cheaper for zoo members.
From the Zoo's website: "Join us for a special after-hours event packed with wild adventures and nonstop fun for families! During this event, the entire Zoo will be open just for you, plus we're turning up the excitement with live kid-friendly music from the Diamond Empire Band, face painting, caricature artists, yard games, hair braiding, cotton candy and so much more!"
Saturday, July 19
Saturday, July 19
Sports: No Coast Roller Derby
+ When: 4 pm (doors), 5 pm (first game begins)
+ Where: Ice Box, 1880 Transformation Drive (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $16 general admission, $18 trackside
Featuring the Road Warriors vs Omaha Roller Derby, followed by the Mad Maxines vs The Midwest Maidens.
From No Coast's website: "Get ready for an exciting night of hard-hitting action as No Coast Roller Derby presents a thrilling Home Doubleheader! Join us for two action-packed games featuring some of the best roller derby teams around."
Saturday, July 19
Baseball: Lincoln Saltdogs vs Winnipeg Goldeyes
+ When: 6:05 pm
+ Where: Haymarket Park (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Tickets start at $14 for general admission (seating on the grass berm)
Saturday, July 19
Crafting: Sewing Saturday
+ When: 10 am to 2 pm (drop in anytime!)
+ Where: International Quilt Museum (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free! No registration required.
From the museum's website: "Sewing Saturdays are a chance for guests of any age to learn to sew and create a small project they can take home with them ... No registration is needed, and all materials are provided. Because we are using a needle & thread for this activity, ages 6 and older are encouraged to attend. Children must be accompanied by a supervising adult."
Saturday, July 19
Dance Party: COWBOY BEEBOOP w/ DJ's PLARS, Dr. Hugz and DJ Rugburn
+ When: 9:30 pm
+ Where: Duffy's Tavern (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $5
Saturday, July 19
Film: Soul (2020)
+ When: 11 am
+ Where: Ross Media Arts Center (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
Part of the Ross theater's Family Film Fest!
Saturday, July 19
Market: Historic Haymarket Farmers' Market
+ When: 8 am to noon
+ Where: Haymarket (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free, but there will be plenty of vendors to buy from.
Skylark will be performing live.
Saturday, July 19
Music: 1867 turns 9 w/ Psycho 78, The Surrogates, Cuddlebone, & Fraktul
+ When: 8:30 pm (doors), 9 pm (show)
+ Where: 1867 Bar (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $13 cover
Saturday, July 19
Music: Ken Valdez & Kevin Burt: The Brotherhood Tour
+ When: 5 pm
+ Where: Zoo Bar (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $15 cover
From the Zoo Bar's Facebook page: "Ken Valdez and Kevin Burt are two of the most exciting performers and personalities in the blues and blues rock world. They are also family! Get ready to dance and have your soul moved! It’s all about coming together and having a great time! Don’t miss this show!"
Saturday, July 19
Self-Defense Workshop: State Violence
+ When: 6 pm
+ Where: To get the address, DM the READ Network on Instagram or email them at READNetworkinfo@gmail.com
+ Cost: Free, but RSVP is required.
From the READ Network's Instagram: "The power of the state has been wielded against us since it's inception. Now we are seeing a time of significant escalation. The time to defend ourselves is NOW!"
Sunday, July 20
Sunday, July 20
Theater: 10th Annual First Flight Festival: Flight B
+ When: 2 pm
+ Where: UNL’s Studio Theatre on the first floor of the Temple Building (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $20 or $35 for a festival pass
This year's First Flight Festival includes two sections of short plays and monologues (Flight A and Flight B), and is ongoing from July 17 to July 27. Find more dates on their website!
Sunday, July 20
Baseball: Lincoln Saltdogs vs Winnipeg Goldeyes
+ When: 1:05 pm
+ Where: Haymarket Park (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Tickets start at $14 for general admission (seating on the grass berm)
Sunday, July 20
Market: Sunday Farmers' Market at College View
+ When: 10 am to 2 pm
+ Where: 4801 Prescott Ave. (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free, but it's a farmer's market, so be prepared to spend money.
Sunday, July 20
Market: Uni Place Creative District Maker’s Market
+ When: 10 am to 2 pm
+ Where: St. Paul Ave. between 47th St. and 49th St. (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
This market will feature booths with local artists and other creative types, live music, food trucks, and more.
Sunday, July 20
Music: Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival - Family Fun Day
+ When: 2 to 4 pm
+ Where: Sheldon Museum of Art (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free! But RSVP is required.
From the Nebraska Crossroads' website: "For the July edition of Family Day with Nebraska Crossroads, you can enjoy a special children’s storytelling concert with Crossroads’ artists, a evocative performance by Nordic-folk duo iiS in the Museum’s Great Hall, and a hands-on, storytelling-through-poetry-workshop with the wryly perceptive and truly Nebraskan wordsmith and former Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason."
Sunday, July 20
Music: Summer Concert Series - Wheels and Notes: A Night of Classic Cars and Live Music
+ When: 7 pm
+ Where: Antelope Park, Shildneck Bandshell (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
Part of the Lincoln Municipal Band's ongoing summer concert series.
Sunday, July 20
Music: Turquoise + Black Flak and the Nightmare Fighters + Sweats + Vector 23
+ When: 7 pm (doors), 8 pm (show)
+ Where: Duffy's Tavern (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $10 cover | $13 for minors
Huge line-up of bands!
Things to do next week:
Saturday, July 26
Community meeting: Lincoln Alliance's July Meeting
+ When: 10 to 11:30 am
+ Where: New Visions United Methodist Church (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
Andrew Thierolf of the City of Lincoln Planning Department will give an update on the comprehensive plan. Also on the agenda: The logistics of applying for an Open Door Grant through the Lincoln Community Foundation. Show up and get involved!
Monday, July 21
Public Meeting: Lincoln City Council
+ When: 3 to 5 pm
+ Where: Council Chambers in the County/City Building (Google Maps)
This meeting is open to the public. The agenda has not yet been posted.
Tuesday, July 22
Public Meeting: Lincoln Board of Education
+ When: 6 pm
+ Where: Steve Joel District Leadership Center (Google Maps)
This meeting is open to the public. The agenda has not yet been posted.
Wednesday, July 23
Public Meeting: Planning Commission
+ When: 1 to 4:30 pm
+ Where: City Council Chambers in the County/City Building (Google Maps)
This meeting is open to the public. The agenda has not yet been posted.
Friday, July 25
Books: The Nebraska Heritage Book Club
+ When: noon to 1 pm
+ Where: Bennett Martin Public Library, 4th floor conference room (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
The book for July is Lonesome Dreamer: Life of John G. Neihardt by Timothy Anderson.
Saturday, July 26
Music: Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival - Lincoln Showcase
+ When: 7:30 to 9:30 pm
+ Where: Sheldon Sculpture Garden (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free, but registration is requested.
This is an outdoor event, so bring a blanket or a chair!
More from the festival's website: "Enjoy an eclectic evening of music and poetry with festival headliners Dawn of Midi, Layale Chaker and Sarafand, and Kinan Azmeh performing his iconic Suite for Improvisor and Orchestra, along with poetry from the current and former Nebraska State Poet and true Cornhusker wordsmiths Jewel Rodgers and Matt Mason, food trucks, and family activities with our friends from the Asian Community and Cultural Center."
Saturday, July 26
Words: Adult Spelling Bee
+ When: 4 to 5 pm
+ Where: Gere Branch Library (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Exactly what it sounds like: A spelling bee for adults! Prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Things to do later this summer:
Friday, August 1
Music: Estrogen Projection + Uh Oh + Joyrager
+ When: 6:30 pm (doors), 7:30 pm (show)
+ Where: Rococo Theatre (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $21 general admission | $23 day of the show
Links to the bands' music or socials:
+ Estrogen Projection / insta
+ Uh Oh / insta
+ Joyrager / insta
Thursday, July 31
Books: Just Desserts
+ When: 6:30 to 7:45 pm
+ Where: Bennett Martin Public Library, 4th Floor Auditorium (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
Monthly discussion of a mystery novel. For July, the group is reading We Solve Murders (2024) by Richard Osman. Participants are encouraged to bring a dessert to share!
Thursday, July 31 - Saturday, August 9
Fair: Lancaster County Super Fair
+ Where: Sandhills Global Event Center (Google Maps)
+ Cost: $15 per vehicle gets you a day pass
There's a ton going on: Vendors, exhibits, family activities, a petting zoo, competitions, live music, food, and more.
Friday, August 8
Film: White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
+ When: 7 to 10 pm
+ Where: Black Cat House (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
A 2007 documentary directed by Steven Okazaki, featuring interviews with survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Saturday, August 9
Market: Parking Lot Party - Open Harvest turns 50!
+ When: 10 am to 4 pm
+ Where: Open Harvest Co-op Grocery (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
Help celebrate the Co-op's 50th birthday! You can apply to be a vendor at the party here.
Saturday, August 9
Zines! Salt Creek Zine Fest
+ When: noon to 4 pm
+ Where: F Street Community Center (Google Maps)
+ Cost: Free!
From the organizers: "Zine fests are an opportunity for lovers of indie art to buy and trade zines, a flexible and limitless medium of art that's low-cost and encourages breaking boundaries. It's also an opportunity for artists who make zines to share their work, meet other artists, and build a local community."
Tuesday, August 12
Public Meeting: Board of Health Meeting
+ When: 4 to 5 pm
+ Where: Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, 3131 O Street (Google Maps)
This meeting is open to the public. The agenda has not yet been posted online.